Vehicle Description
1938 Buick Series 40 Special Sport Coupe
"The designers of Buicks begin their work each year advantaged by
two traditional construction features which no other car enjoys.
Since its earliest days, Buick has adhered to the valve in head
principle of engine design, despite the fact that such engines are
more costly to build. Stretching back as far as Buick tradition is
the use of the torque tube drive, a method of power transmission
which likewise represents a more costly type of construction. Our
faith in the basic superiority of these two features is amply
rewarded in what they have enabled us to accomplish in the 1938
Buick." From the 1938 sales brochure.
For consignment, a 1938 Buick Series 40 Special Sport Coupe which
lacks those original components and, in their place, more modern
parts for today's roads. A tastefully done hot rod with plenty of
custom bodywork, a fresh interior, and a 350ci Chevrolet crate
engine with custom exhaust, low profile tires and snazzy aluminum
wheels. Bathe it in deep blue and you have a touch of Buick class
that goes like the wind and slips neatly into the modern era of
motoring.
Exterior
This car was shaved, frenched, had a mild chop and all the seams
were filled. We are left with a beautiful pontoon fender style
torpedo back end 2 door coupe that presents itself in a category I
would not put many hot rods into...a tasteful racer if you will.
From the large bullet style headlight casings that now have halogen
headlights with built in signals, to the wonderfully designed wrap
around V style split in the middle grille were rocking the look.
Throw on a front hinged clamshell hood, and smooth the venting on
the cowls, and this car is the definition of slip stream. So much
so that I think the air is afraid to touch it! The remaining chrome
on this car is mirror like and near perfect. Muscular Rev wheels
are on the car, measuring 18-inch in front and 20-inch in rear
wearing low profile tires, the tops of which are tucked under the
fenders. We note some scuffs, chips, cranks and dents in the
metalwork and paint along with a few areas that could use more
color sanding and buffing.
Interior
A swing of the door, (with the remote!), we are met with yards of
broadcloth in a muted gold color. An outer panel on the door is a
fuzzy broadcloth, and the inner panel and the door pull is covered
with a small square tweed and has stitched embroidered opposing
palmetto palm patterns in it. The front bucket seats present this
same way with the embroidered tweed inserts, and smooth bolsters
both in broadcloth. In the back we can see what appears to be a
large storage area, but 2 jump seats fold down to serve more
occupants. Upfront, a custom deep blue metal dash with actual burl
wood insert houses several gauges, knobs, and A/C, as well as an
AM/FM/CD radio. Fronting the dash is a tilt column chrome banjo
style steering wheel. Seats are power, and so are the windows. A
floor mounted Hurst shifter wears a white knob handle and is
surrounded by lush, low pile gold carpet in great condition, and it
even wraps the steering column. Up top, the mohair mimicking
brushed cloth is clean and fully intact. All of these materials and
stitch patterns repeat in the finished trunk which already shows
some use, otherwise, we'd be hesitant to put a blemish on it.
Drivetrain
A 350ci Chevrolet engine fired with HEI ignition, snakelike headers
and a custom exhaust sits within a pristine engine bay. A Muncie
M20 4-speed manual transmission actuated with a hydraulic slave
cylinder clutch is behind the healthy mill. Plenty of chrome
plating to go around for all the bolt ons stuck to this engine.
Power brakes are on board and are delivered as discs in front and
drums in the rear.
Undercarriage
Due to this car being a frame off restoration at one time, we find
a clean underside with prominent X-frame, a little bit of surface
rust, but all joints, knuckles and components are free of grease
and dirt. A Mustang II rack and pinion steering setup, and ladder
bars with coil overs are seen in this very clean rust free totally
restored undercarriage environment. Dual exhaust comes off of
headers from the engine, into a pair of Turbo mufflers, then out
through quad tips in ports cut out of the smooth roll pan in back.
Very cool.
Drive-Ability
Hopping into this car we felt like an art patron viewing a
masterpiece with a private showing. The seats are plush, and all is
perfectly ergonomically placed. This car lit right up, and I was
off for the test loop. It cruised smoothly, accelerated on my
demand, and shifted effortlessly. The low stance led to great
handling despite being in a large coupe. All that broadcloth and
padding muffles the engine a bit, but its healthy heart can still
be heard. All functional items work in this beauty. While Classic
Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time
of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be
working at the time of your purchase.
Just a wonderful, nicely performed, tasteful
restoration/modification. Buick provided the basics with the
pontoon fenders and torpedo rear, but all that frenching, shaving
and chopping make it a work of rolling art, on low profile tires
none the less! You'll be torn between being inside its comfortable,
enveloping interior, or watching it roll on from the outside.
Solution? Drive past buildings with mirrored facades once in a
while and get the best of both worlds!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
